Hiking Utah's Chute of Muddy Creek Trail

Even more so than the famous Salt Lake, the outdoor hiking trails in Utah are really starting to bring increasing numbers of visitors to this picturesque mountain state. While neighboring states like Colorado do have taller mountains elevation wise, the rock formations in Utah truly have to be seen to be believed.

One of the most fascinating trails in Utah is the Chute of Muddy Creek in the San Rafael Swell region. This part of Utah has also been home to numerous archeological finds as well as evidence of serious historic climate change. You can see it all around you as the walk the trail as the walls of smooth rock formations all point to a serious ice age at one point. Not that being covered in ice is in any way not serious.

Thankfully, though, this part of Utah is currently not experiencing an Ice Age so temperatures are usually mild to very hot in the summer. There can be snow in the winter so be prepared if you hike the San Rafael Swell region during that time of year.

Really the best time to visit the Chute of Muddy Creek is in the time when spring turns to summer and what might have just been a muddy trail under your feet will instead be an easy to traverse water trail. The water moves slowly through the serene and ancient rock canyons so no need to worry about encountering rapids. You are SUPPOSED to walk in the water. But, to state the obvious, get some waterproof shoes.